Pre-N Networking - mixing or matching manufacturers

[salexander2]

I'm purchasing the Belkin N1 Pre-N router. At the same time, I buying a new notebook and have found the PCMCIA slot to be disappearing among certain makes/models.

Question is this: the Dell E1505 has a built in pre-N adapter (and no PCIMCIA slot). To get the expected throughput and performance with the Belkin router, should I use the matching Belkin card (which would require me to get a different notebook model), or will the Dell Pre-N mini-PCI card that is built into the notebook work fine?

Anyone with experience or knowledge?

Thanks!!

 

[JackMDS]

Welcome to AnandTech Network Forum.

What ever you do take into consideration that preN might not be upgradeable and thus you would end up Stuck in the near future. I.e you might end up with laptop that would do only 802.11g, and No upgrade path.

My advice, get an inexpensive 802.11g and wait to the end of the year for the next step.

http://www.ezlan.net/faq#MIMO

:sun:

 

[salexander2]

Thanks - good point on the possibility of being stuck without an upgrade path. I'm at the point of needing a new router now, as my old one is dying quickly. If the Belkin works as well as is reported, I'll be happy as is, even if I don't get the official N revision later on. ("Good Enough" vs. perfection)

Do you think the Dell pre-N mini-PCI card that is built into the Inspirion E1505 will work well with the Belkin N1 in terms of throughput and performance?

 

[spidey07]

Why is it dieing quickly? Could you describe the symptoms?

There's really nothing in them that should fail. I mean it happens, but it's rare.

 

[salexander2]

Random issues with access to the internet. Rebooting the router fixes the problem. The cable modem works fine and the problem is not solved by rebooting the modem. The access issues sometimes hit certain ports, and other times are across all attached devices - wireless and wired. Issues include outright lack of access to the internet (while still connected to the network ok), as well as randon slowness without actually losing the internet.

The unit is a Netgear WGR614 v5. It worked great for 2 years and then started having this problem. No changes to the firmware have been made, so that is why I believe it is a hardware problem.

Do you have ideas on other problems that may be occuring?

 

[nweaver]

I have tested the dell PreN cards, get the netgear router to go with it, it works very well. When dealing with a prestandard device, go with the known equipment.

 

[ChAoTiCpInOy]

I don't get why companies are trying to push the Pre-N standard. I mean, when they do finalize the standard, the Pre-N stuff now isn't going to be the same as the final N standard. It's stupid for people to go out and buy this stuff. Just get 802.11g and get some range extenders.

 

[nweaver]

Originally posted by: ChAoTiCpInOy
I don't get why companies are trying to push the Pre-N standard. I mean, when they do finalize the standard, the Pre-N stuff now isn't going to be the same as the final N standard. It's stupid for people to go out and buy this stuff. Just get 802.11g and get some range extenders.

some people don't care about the cost of buying again in a year once it's ratified


you cannot stream HD video over G at any distance, you can get 10 Mb/s streaming HD at over 50 feet through walls.

 

[JackMDS]

Originally posted by: nweaver
some people don't care about the cost of buying again in a year once it's ratified

You are right, however these type of people usually do not come here because they would pay for professional advice as well.😉

:sun:

 

[nweaver]

Originally posted by: JackMDS

Originally posted by: nweaver
some people don't care about the cost of buying again in a year once it's ratified

You are right, however these type of people usually do not come here because they would pay for professional advice as well.😉

:sun:

have you visited GH?

I think those who have SLI rigs with $500 video cards fall into this catagory 😀